Past Events
2009 Jim Wilson III Winter Symposium at Birmingham’s Wynfrey Hotel
February 2009
This has been a great year for the Blackburn Institute, and the Winter Symposium was no different. It is easy to say that this year’s Jim Wilson III Winter Symposium was a success. Many fellows returned for the event, along with several prominent figures in the State of Alabama, to provide for an exciting two-day discussion of the educational system in Alabama.
Keynote speakers provided a broad look at the educational system in Alabama through their eyes, but in my opinion, the educational panels provided a more in-depth and interesting look at the Alabama educational system. From educators, to lawmakers, to Blackburn fellows, everyone was eager to give his or her opinion on how to better education in Alabama. On Saturday morning of Symposium, Blackburn fellows had the rare opportunity to pick the brains of and fire questions at a panel that included Congressman Artur Davis and State Treasurer Kay Ivey. This provided fellows with an entertaining and educational opportunity to see a possible future gubernatorial race showdown before the race began. Overall, many viewpoints on Alabama’s education system were shared, and I know that many Blackburn fellows were inspired to take action to make this aspect of Alabama better.
The 2009 Winter Symposium was especially important for those of us who are seniors and will be graduating from the University this year. On Friday night of the Winter Symposium, we received our Blackburn pins in the traditional pinning ceremony. For me, as I am sure it was for all of the seniors, this was a time of reflection on the time I have spent as a Student fellow in the Blackburn Institute and what I must do next. It was also a time to affirm my lifelong commitment to Blackburn and its purpose. We have learned so much about the State of Alabama through our time as Student fellows, and it is now time for us to take the next step in that process. Now that we are graduating, it is time for us to carry out the purpose of the Blackburn Institute and change this state. Though we will all be going in different directions very soon, we have a common mission and lifelong commitment to the State of Alabama that ties us together through the Blackburn Institute.
The Winter Symposium was a chance for everyone in the Institute to catch up and discuss important state issues, and I believe everyone had a great time. If you missed Winter Symposium this year, you missed a treat, so make plans to be there next year! - Laken Laird, 2006-2007
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